eTextbooks: The Future of eLearning

1. eTextbooks:The Future of eLearning Dr. Roger Von Holzen Ms. Darla Runyon http://cite.nwmissouri.edu/presentations

2. Introduction • A Northwest goal is to ensure that graduates have strong computer competencies • Northwest has provided textbooks to students for over 100 years • Northwest provides a notebook computer to every student • Northwest’s eTextbook initiative is the natural next step forward for its Electronic Campus*

3. Notebook Compuers and Textbooks 2008 Marketing Survey Northwest students and graduates value the cost savings of the rental programs

4. Costs for Notebook Computers and Textbooks • Most Notebook Universities require students to purchase a notebook computer • A smaller number of schools lease computers and charge students about $700 to $1000 per year • Northwest charges students about $300 per year for a notebook computer • Most college students have to purchase textbooks at a cost of about $1,000 per year • Northwest charges about $180 per year ($6/sch) for students to rent their textbooks*

5. Northwest’s eTextbook Project • Initiated by President Hubbard after acquiring a Kindle for personal use • Proposed to faculty in August 2009 • Over 20 faculty members volunteered to participate in project • Pilot project encompassed three phases • Phase I—use of eReaders • Phase II—use of notebook computers • Phase III—full integration of eTextbooks and electronic learning resources*

6. Phase I—eReaders

7. eBooks and eReaders • Kindle from Amazon.com • Kindle: $299 plus shipping • Kindle DX: $489 plus shipping • Conducting pilot study with 7 universities • Sony’s eReader • $250 • available at Target*

8. eBooks and eReaders Plastic Logic iPhones from Apple Personal computers

9. Using a Sony Reader • Device has 6-inch display • Utilizes E Ink technology • almost paper-like • easy to read even in bright sunshine • allows for high contrast and high resolution, with a near 180° viewing angle. • Text can be changed between three different sizes • One touch buttons to move backward and forward through book pages*

10. Loading a Sony Reader • eTextbooks are first downloaded from the publisher web site to the student’s notebook computers • Transfer eTextbooks to the Sony Reader via a USB connection • Reader is recharged through the USB connection to the notebook computer • Possible to install Sony library software to purchase and manage eTextbooks and eBooks from The eBook Store from Sony*

11. Phase I Findings • There are multiple components to a textbook, including graphs and images, with all having separate copyrights • The formatting of content for eReaders can require weeks to complete • For campus-wide deployment there are currently not enough eReader-compatible eTextbooks • Most eTextbooks are available only through notebook computers and/or web access • PDF formatted textbooks have restrictive and slow navigation options*

12. Phase I Findings • Students have a high affinity for handheld electronic devices • Students like the idea of not having to carry 20 or 30 pounds of textbooks in their backpacks • Keyword searching and annotating are very important features for students and faculty • The enthusiasm quickly waned for eReaders without the needed search and annotation features • Students found the eReaders were attention getters but were not attention keepers*

13. Phase I Findings eReaders work only for pleasure reading Incorporates E Ink technology for great readability Features low power consumption and long battery life Black/white only No Flash animation or video No interactivity possible with online resources and course sites*

14. Phase II—Notebook Computers

15. Notebook Computers as eTextbook Readers • Integrates textbooks with other software and services including email and web access • Most schools already employ staff and/or students to assist users • Delivery of eTextbooks to the students is extremely efficient*

16. Northwest Notebook Check-outand eTextbook Loading • Students pick up their notebook computers prior to the first week of classes • Students are given eTextbook access codes • The Electronic Campus Support Center is open for any hardware/software repair • Assist students to download and activate VitalSource Bookshelf • Assist students to download eTextbooks *

17. VitalSource Bookshelf • Promotes one standard on campus and not multiple standards • eTextbook web connection on campus software loadset • Bookshelf files are download to the student’s computer • Can be integrated with single sign-on with course management system • Students may: • customize their page views • search single books or any group of books • Highlight, take and share searchable notes • print and copy-and-paste with bibliographic support* Video

18. Phase II Deployment • Goal: evaluate eTextbooks designed for use on student notebook computers • Phase II was completed during the spring semester of 2009 • Concentrated on the deployment of eTextbooks provided by five publishers • Eleven of a possible 19 academic departments volunteered to participate • Twenty classes, across the 11 departments, were selected to use eTextbooks • Approximately 500 students were involved in Phase II*

19. Sample Cost Comparisons

20. Phase II Findings • The delivery of eTextbooks to students via their notebook computers was a simple and very efficient process • Students were able to complete the downloading of eTextbooks with little assistance from university support staff • Several publishers were able to provide enhanced eTextbooks with quizzes and shared notes • The need for standardized reading features appeared useful as some students used multiple eTextbooks • Students could continue to see the potential for carrying backpacks that weighed less • Some eTextbook features, if used in the classroom, need additional Wi-Fi connectivity*

21. Advantages of eTextbooks • Facilitates integrated learning resources for the student • Content provided by publisher can be placed within the CMS • Conveys lower costs into lower charges to students • Textbook publishers have shown a substantial commitment to research in order to develop a new vision for eTextbooks*

22. Options to Ensure Students have Notebooks and Software • The university may mandate students have notebooks through an off campus or a bookstore acquisition • The university may lease notebooks and rent them to students through fees • The university may purchase notebooks and rent them to students through fees*

23. Phase III—Integration of eTextbooks and Electronic Resources

24. Moving Forward • eTextbooks will/may replace traditional textbooks as they become available • Faculty will continue to select eTextbooks and textbooks based on their content • Interactive online content will be required within the eTextbook environment (no simple PDF files only) • Standardized on VitalSource as the eTextbook delivery system*

25. Moving Forward • Need to continue negotiations with publisher for price structure that works within a textbook rental format • Publishers request exclusive contracts • Continue to search for new delivery platform • Tablet PC with eReader option*

26. Roger Von Holzen: Director—CITE rvh@nwmissouri.edu Darla Runyon: Assistant Director/Curriculum Specialist—CITE drunyon@nwmissouri.edu http://cite.nwmissouri.edu/presentations